Sudan Landslide in Darfur Feared to Have Killed 1,000

UNAMID/Albert González Farran — Children in Jawa village, East Jebel Marra. (file)

Humanitarian agencies have vowed to “spare no effort” in ensuring that aid reaches communities devastated by a deadly landslide in Sudan’s Darfur region, a senior UN official confirmed on Tuesday.

The disaster struck on Sunday in the remote village of Tarsin, nestled in the Jebel Marra mountain range on the border of Central and South Darfur states. Triggered by days of relentless heavy rain, the landslide has left devastation in its wake, with up to 1,000 people feared dead and many more still unaccounted for.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Sudan at this tragic time,” said Luca Renda, interim UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Sudan.

Immediate mobilisation of aid

The UN, together with humanitarian partners, is mobilising relief teams to provide urgent assistance to survivors. Emergency supplies such as food, water, shelter materials, and medical aid are being prepared for delivery. However, access to the disaster zone remains a significant challenge due to its remote location and the destruction of already fragile infrastructure.

“The humanitarian community stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan and will spare no effort to ensure that aid can reach those in need without delay,” Mr Renda stressed.

Mounting challenges

The tragedy comes as Sudan continues to grapple with a prolonged humanitarian crisis, marked by conflict, displacement, and widespread food insecurity. Heavy seasonal rains have already caused widespread flooding in parts of the country this year, destroying homes, farmland, and critical infrastructure.

Darfur, long afflicted by conflict and instability, is particularly vulnerable. Many of the affected families were already struggling with limited access to healthcare, clean water, and basic services before the landslide struck. Aid officials warn that survivors now face heightened risks of disease outbreaks, hunger, and further displacement.

International concern

The UN has called for urgent international support to help meet the mounting humanitarian needs in Sudan. Relief organisations are also urging donors to step up contributions, as the country’s humanitarian response plan remains severely underfunded.

For now, search and recovery efforts are ongoing in Tarsin village, though local officials fear the number of casualties could rise further as rescue workers reach more remote areas cut off by the landslide.